PTA Council honors its own

Representatives from each school's PTA -- and SEPTA -- were honored at the Founders Day ceremony.

Tim Baker/Herald

Immediate past PTA Council President Roxanne Rose and Town of Hempstead Councilman Gary Hudes were the night's major honorees.

Tim Baker/Herald

W.T. Clarke High School Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Steven Barbieri performing before the presentations.

Tim Baker/Herald

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“We are truly lucky to live in a community where so many are willing to give of themselves for our children.”

That was the prevailing message from PTA Council president Tracy Allred-Pulice at Monday evening’s 41st annual Founders Day Scholarship Dinner at the Crest Hollow County Club in Woodbury, where hundreds of East Meadow School District faculty, students, PTA leaders and community members gathered for a night of celebration.

Each year, the PTA Council honors its members from each of the district’s nine schools, including SEPTA, while celebrating two special honorees who go above and beyond to advocate for children. Proceeds raised at the event are used for scholarships for East Meadow and W.T. Clarke High School seniors. This year, the night’s special honorees were Town of Hempstead Councilman Gary Hudes and immediate past PTA Council President Roxanne Rose.

Hudes has represented the 6th Councilmatic district, which covers East Meadow, since 2000. In addition to assisting local Boy and Girl Scout projects in the community, he visits East Meadow schools each year to speak to students about the importance of participating in local government. “I know how much time and effort they put into making our schools better,” Hudes said of the PTA Council. “So to be honored by them really is an unbelievable honor.”

Rose has held numerous positions in the PTA leading up to her presidency during the 2012-2013 school year, and is a founder of the council’s Public Relations Committee. She was also instrumental in creating the council’s website, and establishing the “Points of Pride” for each PTA unit. “It’s an honor,” Rose said. “You don’t realize how much you do until you see it in print. But ultimately, everything I do is for the kids.”

Other speakers on the night included Superintendent Louis DeAngelo, Board of Education President Joseph Parisi, East Meadow High School valedictorian Nathan Siegelaub and W.T. Clarke valedictorian Siddesh Ramesh.

The evening, which included performances by East Meadow High’s Chorus and Clark’s Jazz Ensemble, concluded with a festive dinner.